Dog abuse case: Did punishment fit the crime?

Pet ban in serial dog abuse
Dog owner calls Anthony Walker a ‘monster’ and a ‘sociopath’ for abandoning pit bulls, but Walker says he was a fall guy
Reported by Rob Gavin

Albany — The man who left three pit bull puppies for dead on railroad tracks — then abandoned four more dogs in the back of a U-Haul truck — received a sentence Tuesday of six months in jail as a dog owner branded him a “monster” and a “sociopath.”

Anthony Walker, 30, of Albany, who is free after already serving his time, also received five years’ probation from Judge Peter Lynch.

That punishment does not fit his heinous crime, according to the owners of Hudson, one of the dogs left on the railroad tracks in Albany. They did not attend Walker’s sentencing, but blasted the animal abuser in a victim impact statement read in court.

“We are sorry we could not be there in person, but as Hudson’s parents we are afraid of what we might do to this monster,” the letter stated.

On July 2, Walker pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated animal cruelty, the state’s animal abuse felony known as Buster’s Law, for abandoning four pit bulls found Jan. 26 in a U-Haul trailer parked outside the Super 8 Motel at 1579 Central Ave. in Colonie. The dogs — one of which was starving and nearly frozen to death — have since been adopted.

Walker’s guilty plea resolved his earlier arrest for abandoning the three baby pit bulls discovered Sept. 8 by workers on the railroad tracks at North Pearl Street, near the Ida J. Yarbrough Homes.

The abandoned dogs — known as “the railroad puppies” — were dehydrated, malnourished, hypoglycemic and suffering from infection when they arrived at the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society shelter in Menands. In addition to Hudson, who now has a prosthetic paw after a hole in his paw made in necessary that it be amputated, they included Pearl, a female who was missing two toes, and Carina, who died of her injuries within 48 hours of being found.

Hudson and Pearl were adopted. Hudson’s family informed the court their pet still struggles to walk and needs to be lifted into cars because of his past abuse.

“We are disappointed in the sentence that was given to this person. However, we realize that in order to have stiffer penalties, the animal cruelty laws need to be tougher,” the family stated. “We feel that the horrific nature of the crimes that were perpetrated on the railroad puppies and the four U-Haul dogs deserves more than what this individual received. We have no doubt he is a sociopath, will be a repeat offender and probably escalate to something worse.”

District Attorney David Soares said the maximum sentence Walker could have faced, if convicted at trial, was two years in jail, about eight months of which he already served.

Once he left jail, Soares said, Walker could have gotten a pet without any issue. Under the plea deal, Walker cannot own a pet for his five years on probation. “That, to us, was a much better outcome,” Soares said, joined by Assistant District Attorney Chantelle Cleary, who prosecuted the case. “The idea here is to prevent this person from owning an animal for as long a period of time as we could.”

Cleary said the most important thing to take away from the case is that animal cruelty laws need to be made stronger so prosecutors have more options.

Brad Shear, executive director of the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, who attended the sentencing, said he wished Walker got a stiffer penalty but was pleased Walker has done jail time.

“I don’t think he has any remorse but nobody can give the guy a conscience,” Shear told reporters. “Obviously when you see what he did to these dogs, this is a person who didn’t have a conscience — and putting him in jail isn’t going to give him one.”

Outside the courtroom, Walker said he would not talk to reporters on camera — extending his middle finger. Moments later, he walked out of the Albany County Judicial Center telling reporters he was a fall guy.

“They couldn’t get the guy they want, so they settled for me,” he said.

Walker admitted he owned the dogs in the U-Haul but added: “I didn’t leave the dogs in the U-Haul. The dogs were there unattended. That’s all.”

Walker was irked at initial reports that alleged he nailed dogs to railroad tracks — authorities said that was not the case. Asked about the animals’ malnourishment, Walker answered: “I don’t have anything to say about it.”

Asked why he would plead guilty to a felony if he had no involvement, Walker responded: “These guys don’t play fair.” Asked if he meant prosecutors, police or the judge, Walker said: “All of the above.”

Told of Walker’s comments, Soares said: “I think if you speak to anyone who’s charged with animal cruelty it’s very seldom that you’re going to find someone who actually believes that they did were doing anything that harmed an animal.”

10 Responses

NO, absolutely not. This abuser should have received 5 years in prison and never be allowed to own any animal ever. If I had my way, any person who abuses a defenseless animal, should have the exact same abuse done to them. People who harm animals are scummy cowards who can’t stand up to peers, but take their aggression out on poor defenseless creatures.

It’s never “only a dog”…. Our dog (as many others) is a family member, I’d be devastated if anything were to happen to him when all he does is love unconditionally. People like this guy will only escalate to higher crimes (if he doesn’t already commit others). With this warped sense of judgement he has it wouldn’t be surprising what other crimes he is willing to commit. A couple years where he’s told he can’t have an animal, bet he doesn’t care.

One of the problems with sociopaths is that no matter what the circumstances are, it was never their fault. I use to do a group with sex offenders at the local state prison (another class of sociopaths.) As the individuals listened to each others stories, they always expressed horror and revulsion at what the others did, but they could never see where they personally did anything wrong. It is the same old story for this individual to claim he was a “fall guy.” I think it speaks a lot about his character that he extended a one finger salute to the media. I hope that it is verified that he is not “caring” for any animals during his probation period. Individuals who are sociopaths will find all kinds of justifications for “bending the rules.” I agree that the penalties for animal abusers need to be much harsher than what they currently are.

No, of course not–and are we done asking questions? Who else? Did he act alone? Are there more dogs? Where are the parents? I can’t believe this is the end of this and that the issue will be left alone and swept under the rug!! Where is the “AND” part of the story?

“It’s only a dog! not a human”?????? Please review the statistics of animal abusers who went on to abuse/torture/murder humans. Virtually ALL serial killers started out abusing animals. To Guy S – may this piece of ghetto scum move in next door to you and your family.

In light of the fact that this man did not follow court orders to register speaks to his future attitude. He is also now living with a dog “owned by someone else” Were do we begin to drive the changes needed to stop such crime and behaviors? Since the answer appears to lie in law, and since the law is driven by each of us through elected officials, maybe we have more ability to controll change than we give ourself credit.

Maybe the answer is not only through education, support of animal rights organizations but in the election or prevention of election of officials who do not support change to laws dealing with animal curelty.

We need to remember this platform and our feelings come Nov. when we vote for those who can make the changes? We need to make sure we have people in the positions to make the changes who share our values of life and that includes the life of our furry family members.

Laws are in place but not harsh enough and not under the best section of law. We got to do better…

Sept 8, 2012 railroad pups found
Jan 26, 2013 4 pits found abandoned outside super 8
July 2, 2013, pleads guilty to 1 count aggravated animal cruelty admitting to the VAN incident. This “resolved his earlier arrest” for the railroad puppies.
August 14, sentenced to 6 mo. in jail and 5 years probation, can’t own a pet for 5 years.

So… animal abuser creep pleads guilty to the van incident and gets to avoid taking responsibility for the railroad puppies.

Why not prosecute for both? If there wasn’t enough evidence to prosecute, how do we know he’s the right creep? Or, if they’re sure, then why let him “resolve” such a horrendous incident.

Let’s review:
One puppy’s foot amputated
One puppy missing toes
One puppy died. God knows what her injuries were.
The two living are only alive because of luck.
They were left to die: scared, starving, exposed on RR tracks.

“Animal cruelty laws have to be made stronger so prosecutors have more options.” You had an option. You chose to give him a deal. I just wish we knew your reasoning and why there is to be no justice for Hudson, Pearl and fur-angel Carina, who never even got to grow up.

Please, someone do a follow-up.

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